GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN RESEARCH AT THE U OF S

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing almost $4.5 million for ten Canada Research Chairs and supporting infrastructure at the University of Saskatchewan.

Provincial and federal funding for Canada Research Chairs allows universities to attract and fund outstanding researchers in fields that complement the universities' strategic research plans. Canada Research Chairs contribute to forming centres of excellence and creating world-class research institutions.

"The research carried out with this support from the Innovation and Science Fund will be of great benefit to Saskatchewan residents," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "The Innovation and Science Fund provides approximately $10 million annually to support research in our province. This ISF funding is a portion of our government's total research and development budget, which has risen to $137 million for this year. This funding has helped to place Saskatchewan's research institutions on the cutting edge in many areas, and is allowing them to expand in innovative directions and develop a solid research infrastructure."

"These new Canada Research Chairs are critically important to building U of S research capacity, enriching the learning experience for our students and advancing areas crucial to our province such as agriculture, the environment, and health," U of S President Peter MacKinnon said. "The provincial investment in these outstanding researchers and related facilities and equipment contributes greatly to our success in becoming a leading research university in Canada and one of a select few internationally in key areas."

Provincial support for these projects matches federal funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

"We can say with conviction that Saskatchewan is becoming a place where world-class researchers want to be," President and CEO of the CFI Dr. Eliot Phillipson said. "This investment will further develop Canada's global reputation as a place where outstanding research and training is being conducted."

The Innovation and Science Fund supports research at Saskatchewan's universities, colleges, and research institutes on projects receiving approval and funding from the CFI, the Canada Research Chairs, and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Saskatchewan Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609	Kathryn Warden University of Saskatchewan Research Communications Saskatoon Phone: (306) 966-2506
Alastair Sinclair Canada Foundation for Innovation Ottawa Phone: (613) 996-3160